ith Babylon and
Nineveh in its dimensions, population and magnificence. Its walls
included an area of 260 square miles. Among its ruins the most notable
are the dagobas (pagodas), some of such enormous size that the number of
bricks used in their construction baffles conception. One of the dagobas
has a diameter of 327 feet and a height of 270. It is solidly built of
bricks, and contains material enough to build a complete modern town of
50,000 people. These Buddhist dagobas of Ceylon have the bell-shape
form, and serve the same purpose as the Shwe Dagon in Rangoon, viz., to
shelter relics of the Buddhas. Close by, within the walls of a Buddhist
temple, or monastery, still grows the famous Bo or Pipal tree, the
oldest living historical tree in the world, brought here 250
B.C. from Buddh Gaya in India. Only a fragment of the original
main trunk now exists, the various offshoots growing vigorously in the
surrounding compound, all still guarded and attended by the priests as
lovingly as when done 2200 years ago. At Anauradapura is a quite
charming little Rest House, shaded and surrounded by beautiful tropical
trees of great variety.

From here I went to Kandy, the former capital of the native kings of
that name. In the fourteenth century a temple was erected here to
contain a tooth of Buddha and other relics. Later, the temple was sacked
and the sacred tooth destroyed, but another to which was given similar
attributes was put in its place. Kandy is a pretty spot, with a good
hotel and agreeable climate, its elevation being 1800 feet above
sea-level. Near by is Paradenia and the beautiful Botanical Gardens, in
which it is a perfect delight to wander.

We had already passed through a most lovely and picturesque country; but
the grandest and most impressive scenery of Ceylon lies between Kandy
and Newara Elia. Tea-gardens extend everywhere, and the cosy,
neat-looking bungalows of the planters have a most attractive
appearance. Newara Elia stands very high, some 7000 feet. Its vegetation
is that of a temperate climate, and in the winter months the climate
itself is ideal. The bracing atmosphere suggests golf and all other
kinds of sport, and golfing there is of the very best kind. There is an
excellent hotel, though I myself put up at the Hill Club. All Ceylon is
beautiful, the roads are good, and many delightful excursions can be
made. I do not think I ever saw a more beautiful country. But the
sailing date draws near, so I